Bihar

Historic & Welcome Judgement of the Supreme Court of India on SIR

The historic verdict of theSupreme Court of India has finally reinforced the constitutional position and the role of the ECI, and also of the government FRAGRANCE OF IDEAS ASHWANI KUMAR CHRUNGOO On 27th May 2026, the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India,headed by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, finally announced its judgement in respect of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, conducted by the ElectionCommission of India. In its historic judgement, the apex court said that the SIR was found on legitimate grounds and is in consonance with the Representation of the Peoples Act and the 1960 Rules. The Election Commissions decision to conduct the SIR remains within the statutory mandate, the Supreme Court further added. It is a great relief for the whole nation as this judgement is both welcomeand historic. The issue was pending in the highest court for the last around one year. It was made an issue by the opposition parties and their echo system when the Bihar elections were around the cornerlast year. The Election Commission of India (ECI), headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, took an important decision in the second half of the year 2025, consequent upon a long discussion and debate within and outside the Commission, to conduct the SIR in the state of Bihar. The Commission made an announcement to this effect on 27 October, 2025 to go for a nationwide SIR, state by state, Bihar being the first state to undergo the process. A number of petitions were filed by a number of persons supported by various political parties and also the West Bengal government, with the plea that the ECI had no powers to conduct the SIR. This process of SIR was also conducted earlier, during the governments of Congress and the NDA. The last SIR was conducted by the ECI during the government of NDA headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the year 2003. During those processes at different intervals, there was no fuss created by the political parties and others in this connection. However, this time, the opposition and their echo-system went politically berserk and tried to create obstacles to stop it. Petitioning the apex court was also a part of the same exercise. When SIR was initiated in the state of Bihar, the leader of the opposition in theLok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, campaigned against it throughout the state and even went to the extent to call it Vote-Chori. He, along with his other colleagues, tried to bring the whole process under the scanner and also tried to bring the results of the polls after conducting SIR under the radar of suspicion. This was indeed a vicious game-plan to jeopardise the whole process of SIR. Besides attacking the SIR, the opposition also raised issues with regard to the procedure of the SIR. In addition to Bihar, other states political leaders also jumped into it and in regard to West Bengal, the SIR was specifically opposed to shielding the illegal infiltrators in the state who were part of the oppositions vote-bank all along. The Supreme Court of India held the SIR as constitutionally valid and correct, and even upheld the procedure of the process. It categorically said that the SIR has strengthened democracy and in case there was any sort of grievance against it at any level, there are various forums where these can be addressed and found ways to mitigate the issues involved. This is indeed a severe setback to all those who kept on raising the issue publicly and privatelyto snub the constitutionally mandated Special Intensive Revision of the general electoral rolls in the country. The opposition and their echo-system attacked the Election Commission of India lock, stock and barrel and even personally attackedthe Chief Election Commissioner on the issue. The ECI and its head didnt lose either the temper or the patience and continued with their work, and gained the confidence of the Supreme Court of India by its statements, work and constitutional arguments in the court. In Bihar, the election campaigning was influenced by the debate on SIR.The people in general in Bihar cooperated with the ECI and participated in the process generously.Congress and its leaders maintained their opposition to it throughout, but the main opposition party in Bihar -the RJD and its leaders didnt give a great heed to this agenda in their campaigning. The main opposition was centred around in regard to the powers of the ECI to ascertainthe citizenship of the voters. It was said that the ECI had no powers to determine the citizenship of the voters, and it was the prerogative only of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). While it is a fact that the determination of citizenship in India falls under the domain of the MHA, the ECI, however, can ask the voters for the documents certifying their Indian citizenship. As per the law and the existing rules, a person has two qualifications to become a voter inIndia, i.e. he or she should have attained the age of 18 years, and he or she should be a bonafide citizen of India.In order to satisfy the ECI officials in this regard, one needs to produce the Date of Birth certificate to prove ones claim to become a voter. Secondly, the ECI has made a list of documents which can be produced and provided to it to prove ones citizenship of India. Earlier, the political parties, the government officials and some ECI deputed employees would overlook this important aspect at the time of making voters. Consequently, a large number of non-genuine voters found a way to be on the voters lists. Moreover, voters needed to be deleted fromthe existing voters list due to their death, migration to other areas, enrolment at more than one place in the lists and having wrong names, parentage and address entered at the time of enrolment. In order to nullify these variousdiscrepancies in the lists, SIR became obligatory. The governments and the political

DRI Seizes Over 100 Kilograms of Cannabis in Bihar, Two Arrested

Patna, June 1: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 104.9 kilograms of cannabis in Bihar and arrested two suspects, according to an official report. The arrests took place on Saturday, as confirmed by the authorities. During questioning, the suspects admitted to their involvement in the illegal transportation of controlled substances. They have been ... Read more DRI Seizes Over 100 Kilograms of Cannabis in Bihar, Two Arrested

Akhilesh Yadavs Leadership Could Ensure Success for the INDIA Alliance, Says Ravidas Mehrotra

Lucknow, June 1: In a recent conversation, Samajwadi Party legislator Ravidas Mehrotra expressed confidence that if Akhilesh Yadav leads the INDIA alliance, it could secure victories in all upcoming elections. He highlighted Yadavs selfless campaigning for alliance candidates in Bihar and West Bengal. According to Mehrotra, Yadav has the ability to unite all parties and ... Read more Akhilesh Yadavs Leadership Could Ensure Success for the INDIA Alliance, Says Ravidas Mehrotra

AIMIM Leader Akhtarul Iman Criticizes BJP for Governance Failures

Mumbai, June 1: Akhtarul Iman, the Bihar state president of AIMIM and a sitting MLA, launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday. He accused the party of being intoxicated by power. Speaking about the situation in the Seemanchal region, Iman highlighted the severe lack of basic amenities. He pointed out ... Read more AIMIM Leader Akhtarul Iman Criticizes BJP for Governance Failures

Buxar to get states 1st detentioncentre for foreign nationals soon

Unidentified Woman's Body Found Floating in Pond in Bagaha

Man shot at, rides 5km to seek police help

CM reviews Vikramshila Setu repairs,launches devpt projects in Bhagalpur

CID set to probe land grabcharges against JD(U) MLA

Buxar GRP Busts Liquor Smuggling Network, Four arrested including woman

3 drown in Sone river in Bhojpur, 3 rescued

Woman found dead in Purnia

Dug roads, ditches spark safety concerns

Efforts of NSS lauded, students asked to take part in social service

Campaign to curb excessive fertilizer use begins today

Muzs Shahi litchi begins VIP journeyto Rashtrapati Bhavan, PMs residence

122 child labourers rescued by govt in ten days

Bihar BJPs Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya mega training campaign-2026 concludes

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary addressed the concluding session in Bhagalpur, while State President Sanjay Saraogi addressed training sessions in Motihari and Valmikinagar. Around 20,000 party workers across 52 organisational districts received Ideological and Organisational Training.

First phase of Census ends in city, 70k houses found vacant

Drugs, Rs3 crore found from Motihari traders house

CM sets Nov 30 deadline for fullrestoration of Vikramshila Setu

Travel in state to get costlier asgovt announces hike in bus fares

Sanjay Singh Criticizes Opposition Unity, Discusses Bihars Political Landscape

Patna, May 31: Bihar Minister Sanjay Singh has voiced his concerns regarding the recent attack on TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in West Bengal, comments made by Rabri Devi about her official residence, the upcoming elections for ten seats in the Bihar Legislative Council, and the states preparations to combat extreme heat. He also launched a ... Read more Sanjay Singh Criticizes Opposition Unity, Discusses Bihars Political Landscape

Residence of former CM Nitish Kumar should be vacated first: Tej Pratap Yadav on Rabri Devi getting eviction notice

Janshakti Janta Dal founder Tej Pratap Yadav on Sunday hit out at the administration over the 15-day ultimatum issued to RJD leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Legislative Council, Rabri Devi, to vacate her 10, Circular Road bungalow, demanding that former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar vacate his government residence first.

2 drug peddlers arrested in Motihari

34 & counting: CM-turnover in Karnataka now on par with UP, Bihar

Several Large States, Including MH, TN, Guj, Raj Have Seen Much Less Churning

Rising Discontent Against TMC in West Bengal, Tarakishore Prasad Holds Party Accountable

Katihaar, May 31: Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tarakishore Prasad responded to the political situation in West Bengal and the alleged attack on TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee during a recent interview. He stated that the current political climate is a direct result of the actions of the TMC government and its leaders. Discontent among the ... Read more Rising Discontent Against TMC in West Bengal, Tarakishore Prasad Holds Party Accountable

Shocking Attack on Bihar Couple in Telangana: Woman Murdered in Front of Husband

Hyderabad, May 31: In a tragic incident in Sangareddy district, Telangana, an unknown assailant attacked a couple, resulting in the brutal murder of the woman in front of her husband. The attack occurred on Saturday night near IDA Bollaram, close to Hyderabad. According to police reports, Anil Kumar and his wife, Meena Devi, were returning ... Read more Shocking Attack on Bihar Couple in Telangana: Woman Murdered in Front of Husband

Bihars sattu and mangoes find mention in PMs Mann Ki Baat

Bihar CM launches Rs 203 crore projects, sets November deadline for Vikramshila Setu reopening

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary launched 84 development projects worth Rs 203 crore in Bhagalpur. He directed officials to speed up the restoration of the damaged Vikramshila Setu, aiming for vehicular movement to resume by November 30. No toll will be collected for two and four-wheelers until normal traffic resumes.

1,025 Agniveers inducted into Indian Army

PMC to start camps in wards to address public grievances from June 2

Digital-age parenting needs emotional connect: Expert

PRS report flags legislative rush: Over 600 State bills passed in 2025 with limited scrutiny

30% of the bills were passed on the day they were introduced, with 7 assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Puducherry and the Punjab passing legislations either on the day of introduction or the next

RPF busts inter-district liquor smuggling gang, four arrested

Giriraj Singh Criticizes Rabri Devis Noncompliance with Law

Patna, May 31: Union Minister Giriraj Singh has taken a firm stance against former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi for not vacating her government residence located at 10 Circular Road. He emphasized that the law applies equally to everyone. Speaking to reporters, Singh stated, The law is the same for everyone. Anyone ... Read more Giriraj Singh Criticizes Rabri Devis Noncompliance with Law

Man beaten to death over mobile theft allegation in Siwan, FIR filed

Early diagnosis, focused treatment key to preventing long-term joint damage: Docs

Inside Kota's reckoning: Why India's coaching capital is rebuilding from the ground up

For nearly three decades, Kota was a one-word answer. Ask any small-town family in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or the Northeast where a bright child

Bihar CM Thanks PM Modi for Highlighting the State in Mann Ki Baat

Patna, May 31: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary listened to the 134th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann Ki Baat program today. Following the broadcast, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the Prime Ministers direct engagement with citizens, discussing various unique aspects of the country. CM Chaudhary noted that the mention of Bihars rich ... Read more Bihar CM Thanks PM Modi for Highlighting the State in Mann Ki Baat

1025 Agniveers Pass Out from Bihar Regiments 7th Batch in Danapur

Danapur, May 31: In a proud ceremony at the Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) in Danapur, 1025 Agniveers from the seventh batch successfully completed their training on May 31. These young soldiers have undergone an intense 24-week military training program and are now fully prepared to serve the nation. During the passing out parade, the Agniveers ... Read more 1025 Agniveers Pass Out from Bihar Regiments 7th Batch in Danapur

BSEB Simultala Class 11 admit card released at biharsimultala.com; direct link to download here

Bihar School Examination Board has released the admit card for Simultala Residential School, Jamui Class 11 admission exam 2026. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website using their application number and date of birth. The Computer-Based Test is scheduled for June 8, 2026, with a mock test available from May 30.

Let Them Evict Me By Force, I Won't Vacate: Rabri Devi On Bihar Residence

Rabri Devi, who is the leader of the opposition in the legislative council, was first asked by the government to move out in November last year when Nitish Kumar was still the chief minister.

BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 applications for 1,186 posts end today; direct link to apply here

Bihar Public Service Commission's 72nd Combined Preliminary Competitive Examination 2026 application window closes today, May 31. This recruitment drive aims to fill 1,186 vacancies across various Bihar government departments. Candidates with a bachelor's degree can apply online. The selection involves a preliminary exam, main exam, and interview. Don't miss this opportunity.

UP CNET 2026 admit card released at abvmucet26.co.in: Direct link to download hall ticket here

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University has released the UP CNET 2026 admit card for the BSc Nursing entrance examination. Candidates can download their hall tickets from abvmucet26.co.in using their registration ID and password. The exam is scheduled for June 6, featuring 120 MCQs across five subjects with no negative marking.

Tragic Motorcycle Collision in Madhubani Claims Three Lives

Patna, May 31: A tragic motorcycle accident in Madhubani district, Bihar, resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left two others critically injured on Saturday. The collision occurred near Ganesh Chowk in the Padma Panchayat area of the Ladanian police station jurisdiction. The devastating incident has cast a pall of grief over the region, ... Read more Tragic Motorcycle Collision in Madhubani Claims Three Lives

Live cartridges found in passengers bag at Patna airport

Five die as 2 bikes collide in Madhubani

SHOs pistol video sparks outrage after accused dies during escape bid

Mining of critical minerals, rare earthelements to begin in 2 years: Minister

Governor seeks review of varsity recruitment statute amid criticism

Spousal violence against married women drops in Bihar: NFHS-6

Fallen tree, dug up road cause hardships in Anisabad colony

Minister alleges caste bias in Rabri residence row

7 elected to PMC empowered standing committee

Rabri dares govt to evict her by force, gets 15-day ultimatum

Total fertility rate declines to 2.7

IMD Forecasts Heavy Rainfall Across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra - News On AIR

IMD Forecasts Heavy Rainfall Across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra News On AIR

Paediatricians must evolve with changing child health realities: Experts

Drones, handheld devices to check illegal mining

Elderly man killed, house torched in Araria land dispute

Dy CM reviews schemes, asks officials to address public grievances

Bihar Government Orders Rabri Devi to Vacate Official Residence Amid Controversy

Patna, May 30: The controversy surrounding former Chief Minister Rabri Devis government bungalow on Circular Road in Patna has intensified. Leaders from the ruling NDA and the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are exchanging sharp accusations over the issue. Meanwhile, the Patna district administration has requested RJD leader Rabri Devi to shift to the newly ... Read more Bihar Government Orders Rabri Devi to Vacate Official Residence Amid Controversy

Bihar Police Busts Inter-State Vehicle Theft Gang, Six Arrested

Patna, May 30: Bihar Police has successfully dismantled a major inter-state vehicle theft gang. Six notorious criminals were arrested from Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and Ranchi in Jharkhand. Following their leads, police recovered a stolen Scorpio from the Laheri police station area and a Honda City car stolen from Delhi. Additionally, a large number of license plates ... Read more Bihar Police Busts Inter-State Vehicle Theft Gang, Six Arrested

Chancellor invites applications for appointment of VCs in four universities

Punjab youth delegation ends week-long study tour

Buxar govt teachers resent summer training, minister assures to intervene

Chancellor releases uniform academic calendar for all state universities

PPU extends deadline for UG online application

Man drowns in pond while escaping police custody in Bihar

A man died by drowning in a pond in Bihar's Khagaria district while allegedly attempting to evade police custody. Detained for creating a law and order problem, the accused reportedly escaped and jumped into a pond. Villagers later found his body and protested at the police station.

Muslim group in Bihar raises demand on cow protection and ban on beef export

Members of the Muslim community in Bihars Darbhanga raised demands to declare the cow as the national animal and ban beef exports during a peaceful gathering after Eid-ul-Adha prayers. The event highlighted calls for respect, harmony, and social unity.

Evict me by force, says Rabri Devi on her bungalow being allotted to a Bihar Minister

Yes, I can see that Samrat Choudhary, who has become the Chief Minister only recently, is quite excited. Let him get me evicted by force. I am not going to vacate the premises, said Rabri

RJD Leader Vijay Chaudhary Emphasizes Rule of Law in Rabri Devi Residence Dispute

Patna, May 30: RJD leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, Rabri Devi, has firmly refused to vacate her residence at 10 Circular Road, despite receiving a government notice. In response, Bihars Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Chaudhary, stated that the law applies equally to everyone and that compliance is mandatory. While addressing reporters in Patna ... Read more RJD Leader Vijay Chaudhary Emphasizes Rule of Law in Rabri Devi Residence Dispute

Viral video highlights why people dont leave Bengaluru despite traffic, rent woes

Bengaluru: A video shared by a Bihar-origin youth has gone viral on social media, sparking fresh debate on why people continue to stay in Bengaluru despite its persistent challenges such as traffic congestion, high rents, and urban loneliness. The young man, identified as Ankit, shared his personal experience on Instagram, saying that although Bengaluru comes Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Myanmar Presidents Visit to India: A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations

Gaya, May 30: Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Gaya, Bihar, on Saturday as part of his five-day visit to India. Upon his arrival, he was warmly welcomed by Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. The President is set to visit the renowned Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. Officials confirmed that a high-level delegation ... Read more Myanmar Presidents Visit to India: A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations

Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing Begins Official Visit in Bodh Gaya

Patna, May 30: Myanmars President U Min Aung Hlaing has commenced his official visit to India, starting in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. His arrival was warmly welcomed, emphasizing the strengthening of civilizational ties between the two nations. He was received at the airport by Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain. U Min Aung Hlaing is ... Read more Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing Begins Official Visit in Bodh Gaya

Bihar Aims to Become Hub for Film Post-Production with Government Support

Patna, May 30: Following the formation of a new government led by Samrat Chaudhary, there is a growing demand to recognize film post-production work in Bihar as an industry and to provide government support for this sector. During a press conference held at the BIADA Bhawan in the Patliputra Industrial Area, officials from the Association ... Read more Bihar Aims to Become Hub for Film Post-Production with Government Support

Notorious Criminal Injured in Police Encounter in Gopalganj

Gopalganj, May 30: A notorious criminal was injured in a police encounter early Saturday in Gopalganj, Bihar. The criminal, who had a bounty of 50,000 on his head, was shot in both legs during the confrontation. He was subsequently admitted to the district hospital for treatment. According to reports, Gopalganj police and the Special Task ... Read more Notorious Criminal Injured in Police Encounter in Gopalganj

Security vs Statehood: A Myopic Binary

SH Mohammeds opinion piece, Security, Stability or Statehood, (Greater Kashmir, 24 May 2026), offers perhaps the clearest public articulation of the thinking that underpins the Centres position on restoring statehood to J&K. It presents a coherent, security-first case for retaining the Union Territory framework as a stabilising national-security architecture rather than a temporary administrative arrangement. The argument is neither without merit, nor without supporters at the decision-making levels. There can be no disputing his premise that J&K occupies a uniquely sensitive frontier. Indeed, it was precisely for this reason that it had a special constitutional status. Nor can the decades of insurgency, cross-border terrorism and institutional weakening which created genuine vulnerabilities be wished away. Yet the article ultimately rests on a myopic binary: security versus statehood; the former must precede any meaningful restoration of representative governance. This sequencing assumes that political aspirations can be held in abeyance while administrative control delivers order. To treat political legitimacy as subordinate to administrative control is untenable. It is also unsustainable because effective governance ultimately requires a degree of congruence between how a society organises itself socially and how power is distributed politically. When that congruence is absent over long periods, stability becomes brittle dependent on continuous external enforcement rather than self-reinforcing consent. On the ground, with every passing day, the prolonged separation of political legitimacy from administrative authority is itself eroding the foundations of durable governance and, over time, of security as well. The current UT model institutionalises a hierarchy that is difficult to sustain in a democratic polity. An elected government possesses popular legitimacy through assembly elections yet remains structurally subservient to a central apparatus whose authority is derived from New Delhi. Ironically, this asymmetry is not new. For most part of seven decades till 2003 (except for 1977) elected governments operated under heavy central influence even while the formal shell of Article 370 remained intact. After Sheikh Abdullahs dismissal, subsequent regimes were widely perceived locally as enjoying greater legitimacy in Delhi than among significant sections of the population. The practical autonomy promised at accession was progressively diluted through constitutional orders and political engineering. That period is widely recognised as one of the deeper sources of the legitimacy crisis that later metastasised. The present UT structure reproduces this core problem in more explicit form: an elected layer with popular mandate subordinated to a non-elected, centrally directed authority. The difference is that today the arrangement is constitutionally entrenched rather than operating while maintaining the facade of a special status. Past elected regimes also carried their own legitimacy deficits dynastic tendencies, corruption and occasional suppression of dissent. The consequences extend beyond electoral sentimentality and emotional constitutionalism. They manifest in a growing mismatch between social capital and political capital. As a result, Kashmiris are experiencing a fundamental disconnect in their ability to influence or hold accountable the structures of power. This is leading to governance gaps, political alienation, and often suboptimal collective outcomes. The inability of the social resources to influence the state policy and accountability is perceived as disempowerment. The social resources exist but fail to articulate into political power or responsiveness. This creates amoral familism or enclave dynamics with weak links to broader institutions. Indeed, social capital in Kashmir is getting divided into ethnic, caste, clan, religious, or regional lines which reduces the possibilities of inclusive political formation, including coalitions. Politics in Kashmir has reinforced exclusion, clientelist or identity-based patronage which doesnt generate broad based accountability. This situation can stabilize regimes in the short-term but risks backsliding, legitimacy crises, or sudden eruptions, be it populism or unrest. People in Kashmir increasingly experience governance not as something done for them but to them. This renders even well-designed development schemes vulnerable to suspicion. What is needed in Kashmir today is a framework in which political parties, inclusive movements, and linking institutions articulate social resources into political influence. The column contends the elected UT government already wields substantial powers and points to civic issues such as urban development, garbage management, flooding, and illegal construction. This framing conflates two distinct levels of government. By focusing on municipal administration failures and citing Chandigarh and Delhi as examples of effective governance under UT or limited status, the author reduces the expectations of an elected UT administration to those of a municipal corporation. In doing so, he employs a rhetorical sleight of hand: he blames the elected side for shortcomings that fall within a municipalitys limited remit, while arguing that the UT framework itself imposes no real constraint on governance. It is a deliberate oversimplification that serves the argument for delaying statehood until stability and governance credibility are established. Yet the analysis underplays how centralised control has distorted the entire developmental design. The developmental policy has nothing to do with the local economy. Kashmir, despite its singular economic uniqueness import dependent export oriented artisanal economy with a vibrant horticultural sector is being treated like any other state, like Bihar or Orissa. Blaming local incompetence without examining the architecture that limits local ownership misses the deeper governance challenge. Historical patterns further complicate the security first, statehood later sequence. Periods of relative calm in the Valley during the early 2000s and 2010s coincided with active political processes in which elected governments exercised meaningful, if imperfect, autonomy even under Article 370. To be sure, consent-based arrangements have historically proved more resilient than control-based ones. Conversely, prolonged political vacuums and perceptions of disenfranchisement have repeatedly correlated with spikes in radicalisation and unrest. The Pahalgam attack itself, under the UT framework, demonstrated that kinetic superiority and central coordination alone do not eliminate vulnerabilities when local intelligence, community trust and rapid political signalling are weak. Fiscal arguments in the original piece also require scrutiny. To be clear, J&K economy doesnt depend on central transfers, the government of J&K does. The security costs are high, but this does not mean statehood would automatically sever central support. Indias federal practice has long accommodated asymmetric arrangements for strategically important regions. Social capital itself is not uniformly cohesive; it contains strong bonding ties alongside fractures that can be exploited. More than the security threats to the integrity of the state, which cannot be discounted, Jammus regional aspirations, Ladakhs separate status and the unresolved displacement of Kashmiri Pandits add further complexity. it is imperative that a realignment of political authority must incorporate robust safeguards for national security, minority protections and deradicalisation. These are non- negotiables. An alternative reality for Jammu and Kashmir envisions statehood not as a reward for perfect stability but as an instrument to achieve it: by restoring agency to elected representatives, rebuilding trust across communities, and aligning local aspirations with national security imperatives. The choice is not between security and statehood, but between a stability engendered by control and stability deepened by consent. Postscript: By labelling demands for statehood restoration as electoral sentimentality, and emotional constitutional politics, the article delves a deep and devastating blow to the foundational principles of the Constitution of India. What is being suggested is that that popular will expressed through elections or constitutional claims can be overridden by expert or security-driven reasoning. This reframes the Constitution itself as something that can be operationalised selectively, based on assessments of security rather than on the principles of a federal democracy and popular sovereignty that the document enshrines. It also moves toward a managerial constitutionalism, where the Constitution is administered from above rather than continuously legitimised through political participation and consent. The Constitution must be viewed as a framework for managing diversity and political contestation through consent, and not as a tool for achieving and retaining administrative control. The author is a Contributing Editor of Greater Kashmir.

IMD predicts below-normal monsoon rainfall for India in 2026

New Delhi, May 29:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the country is likely to receive below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall during the June-September season this year, while warning of above-normal heatwave days in several states during June. In its updated long-range forecast issued by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the IMD said the monsoon seasonal rainfall during 2026 is likely to be around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a model error margin of plus or minus 4 percent. The LPA for the monsoon season based on 1971-2020 data is 87 cm. According to the forecast, there is an 84 per cent probability of below-normal or deficient rainfall across the country during the monsoon season. The IMD said below-normal rainfall is most likely over most parts of the country, except some areas of northwest and northeast India, eastern parts of peninsular India and adjoining east-central regions, where normal to above-normal rainfall is expected. The weather agency warned that below-normal rainfall may create challenges for agriculture, drinking water supply, hydropower generation and ecosystem sustainability. It may also increase the risks of drought and heat stress in several regions. For June 2026, rainfall across the country is also expected to remain below normal at less than 92 percent of the Long Period Average. However, some parts of northwest and northeast India and several areas of south peninsular India are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall. The IMD further said above-normal heatwave days are expected during June over many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Isolated regions of Maharashtra, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are also likely to witness more heatwave days than usual. However, Rajasthan and Jharkhand are expected to see below-normal heatwave days during the month. The Ministry of Earth Sciences said above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country during June. The IMD noted that neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions over the equatorial Pacific are currently transitioning towards El Nino conditions, which are likely to develop during the southwest monsoon season. Neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are expected to continue during the monsoon period. The weather office advised state governments and district administrations to take necessary preparedness measures to deal with possible heatwave conditions, including ensuring safe drinking water, operational cooling shelters and stronger health surveillance systems. The IMD also urged people to remain hydrated, avoid exposure during peak afternoon hours and take special care of vulnerable individuals, including children, elderly people and outdoor workers. The department said it will issue the forecast for July rainfall in the last week of June 2026.

Search Continues for Three Missing Teenagers in Bihars Gandak River

Patna, May 30: A tragic incident unfolded in Gopalganj district, Bihar, on Friday when three teenage girls were swept away by strong currents while crossing the Gandak River by boat. The incident occurred near Dumariya Ghat under the Mohammadpur police station. The girls were traveling with their mother and some villagers to the other side ... Read more Search Continues for Three Missing Teenagers in Bihars Gandak River

CM orders crop loss survey after storm, hail batter state

PMC clears fallen treesPMC clears fallen trees, restores traffic within an hour after storm

Consumer panel orders rly to compensate passenger denied berth

Admin launches crackdown on illegal boat operations

Lightning claims lives of two girls in Parsa Bazar

Three girls feared missing as boat capsizes in Gopalganj

Ensure transparency in recruitment of assistant professors: Governor

Govt allots Rabris 10 Circular Road bungalow to minister

CM meets President Murmu, discusses Bihars development